Shaw-cum-Donnington C.E. Primary

Art enables children to develop their creative imagination, enabling them to communicate what they see, feel and think through a range of tools, media and materials. During their time at Shaw-cum-Donnington, children are given regular opportunities to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Skills and techniques are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice in order to develop as they move through the school. Throughout the key stages children’s experience of art is enriched by finding out about famous artists (past and present), working with local art providers wherever possible and exploring our local environment for inspiration. We aim to ensure that all children are given high quality experiences, especially those who may not have these opportunities outside of school.

Art is taught in half term units, which enable children to;

• Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• ​Use sketchbooks to develop their skills and record their ideas. (Yrs 1-6)
• Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Teachers are responsible for the planning and teaching of art and design.  Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability or additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. We also take every opportunity to develop links with outside agencies and experts, in order to enrich our Art and Design provision. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

By the end of primary school, we aim for all children to:

• Use visual language skilfully and convincingly (for example, line, shape, pattern, colour, texture, form) to express emotions, interpret observations, convey insights and accentuate their individuality.
• Communicate fluently in visual and tactile form.
• Draw confidently and adventurously from observation, memory and imagination.
• Explore and invent marks, develop and deconstruct ideas and communicate perceptively and powerfully through purposeful drawing in 2D, 3D or digital media.
• Have an impressive knowledge and understanding of other artists, craft makers and designers.
• Think and act like creative practitioners by using their knowledge and understanding to inform, inspire and interpret ideas, observations and feelings.
• Have independence, initiative and originality which they can use to develop their creativity.
• Select and use materials, processes and techniques skilfully and inventively to realise intentions and capitalise on the unexpected.
• Reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and that of others.
• Recognise the joy of creating and develop interests and passions which will grow with them beyond their time at Primary school.

• Exposure to a range of people from different genders, backgrounds, ages and education or experiences.
• Links to the local community as well as from other countries.
• Links between different areas of the curriculum.
• Wide range of techniques and materials to ensure all children have interesting opportunities which they may not have access to outside of the school curriculum.